The efficacy of botulinum toxin A treatment for tension-type or cervicogenic headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

The pathogeneses of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and cervicogenic headache (CEH) are not well established. Peripheral activation or sensitization of myofascial nociceptors is suggested as a potential mechanism and injections of botulinum toxin (BONTA) have thus been used in the treatment for both headache conditions. BONTA inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and inhibits contraction of skeletal muscles. If the pain is precipitated by increased tone in cervical muscles, local injections of BONTA could represent a prophylactic measure. However, the treatment is still controversial, and a thorough assessment of the current evidence is required. This review aims to assess the evidence of BONTA injection as a prophylactic treatment for CTTH and CEH by reviewing and examining the quality of placebo-controlled, randomized trials.

METHODS

Data sources: we searched in the following databases: PubMed (including Medline), Embase, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials, Cinahl, Amed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar including other repository sources. Both MeSH and free keywords were used in conducting the systematic search in the databases. The search covered publications from the root of the databases to November 2020.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The review included RCTs, comparing single treatment of BONTA with placebo on patients with CTTH or CEH above 18 years of age, by measuring pain severity/relief or headache frequency.

DATA EXTRACTION

The following data were extracted: year of publication, country, setting, trial design, number of participants, injection procedure, BONTA dosages, and clinical outcome measures.

STUDY APPRAISAL

To assess validity and quality, and risk of bias, the Oxford Pain Validity Scale, Modified Jadad Scale, last version of Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB 2), and the CONSORT 2010 Checklist were used. The trials were assessed, and quality scored independently by two of the reviewers. A quantitative synthesis and meta-analyses of headache frequency and intensity were performed.

RESULTS

We extracted 16 trials, 12 on prophylactic BONTA treatment for CTTH and four on CEH. Of these 12 trials (8 on CTTH and 4 on CEH) were included in the quantitative synthesis. A majority of the trials found no significant difference on the primary outcome measure when BONTA treatment was compared with placebo. Three "positive" trials, reporting significant difference in favor of BONTA treatment, but two of these were hampered by low validity and quality scores and high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear clinical evidence supporting prophylactic treatment with BONTA for CTTH or CEH.

Assessment of the efficacy of tuina on treating cervicogenic headache: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache characterized by unilateral headache, symptoms, and signs of neck involvement. It is often worsened by neck movement, sustained awkward head position, or external pressure over the upper cervical or occipital region on the symptomatic side. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of massage therapy for the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

METHODS

We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Wanfang Database, China Doctoral Dissertations Full-Text Database, China Master's Theses Full-Text Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Embase. We will select all eligible studies published on or before April 1, 2021. We will use Review Manager 5.4, provided by the Cochrane Collaborative Network for statistical analysis. We then assessed the quality and risk of the included studies and observed the outcome measures.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis further confirmed the benefits of tuina in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect of tuina on patients with cervicogenic headache and to provide more options for clinicians and patients to treat cervicogenic headache.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review will evaluate the efficacy and safety of tuina in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. Since all the data included were published, the systematic review did not require ethical approval.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202150053.

[The Second Short Form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire as the useful additional tool for differential diagnostics of migraine and cervicogenic headache]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effectiveness of the Second Short Form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) as an instrument for assessment and comparison of quantitative characteristics of pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal impairment of the cervical spine and nonspecific neck pain accompanied by chronic migraine or cervicogenic headache (CeH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients, aged from 19 to 60 years (mean age 42.8±10.4), were divided into 2 comparable by age and gender groups with migraine (n=18) and CeH (n=31). Neck pain and headache intensity was measured by the 11-points Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Quality of pain and related symptoms were measured by SF-MPQ-2. Multidisciplinary and multimodal approaches were applied for treatment, including several modalities of manual therapy.

RESULTS

Headache intensity was higher in the migraine group in comparison with the CeH group (7.8±1.7 vs 6.0±1.5, respectively; p<0.05). No significant differences in neck pain intensity were found (6.2±1.8 vs 5.3±1.7; p=0.08). Patients with migraine usually chose more descriptors than patients with CeH (14 vs 4, respectively) and higher range of their intensity (p<0.001). By the end of treatment session, the number of descriptors and their intensity decreased significantly on all SF=MPQ-2 scales (p<0.001) in both groups. Most patients of migraine and CeH group were satisfied with treatment (83% and 97%, respectively) and marked «much improved» and «very much improved» on the 7-point Patient Global Impression of Change scale.

CONCLUSION

SF-MPQ-2 is a useful tool for differential diagnosis of migraine and CeH, as it contains the sufficient number of descriptors and the scale for measuring their intensity.

Clinical Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment Targeting the Mid-cervical Medial Branches for Intractable Cervicogenic Headache

OBJECTIVE

Cervicogenic headache has been known to originate from the convergence of the upper 3 cervical and trigeminal afferents. The administration of conservative treatments, interventional procedures, and more recently, pulsed radiofrequency, has been used to relieve cervicogenic headache. In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of pulsed radiofrequency targeting the mid-cervical medial branches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From September 2012 until December 2017, 395 patients were diagnosed with cervicogenic headache based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The authors treated them conservatively at first, and those patients with nonresolution of pain were treated with mid-cervical medial branches block applied from C3 to C5 twice. Subsequently, if any patient continued to experience persistent pain, the authors classified them as having intractable cervicogenic headache and performed pulsed radiofrequency treatment targeting the mid-cervical medial branches from C3 to C5 bilaterally. The authors analyzed their demographics and used a Visual Analogue Scale to assess their pain for 12 months.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 49.8 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 47.7 months. The mean Visual Analogue Scale score was 6.21 before pulsed radiofrequency treatment, and it improved to 1.54 immediately after the procedure without the symptoms recurring for a minimum of 12 months. There were no severe complications, such as vascular or nerve injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with intractable cervicogenic headache, pulsed radiofrequency treatment targeting the mid-cervical medial branches resulted in a satisfactory, long-lasting outcome without serious complications.

Sequencing and Integration of Cervical Manual Therapy and Vestibulo-oculomotor Therapy for Concussion Symptoms: Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

After concussion many people have cervicogenic headache, visual dysfunction, and vestibular deficits that can be attributed to brain injury, cervical injury, or both. While clinical practice guidelines outline treatments to address the symptoms that arise from the multiple involved systems, no preferred treatment sequence for post-concussion syndrome has emerged.

PURPOSE

This study sought to describe the clinical and patient-reported outcomes for people with post-concussion symptoms after a protocol sequenced to address cervical dysfunction and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo within the first three weeks of injury, followed by integrated vision and vestibular therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis.

METHODS

Records from a concussion clinic for 38 patients (25 male 13 female, aged 26.9±19.7 years) with post-concussion symptoms due to sports, falls, assaults, and motor vehicle accident injuries were analyzed. Musculoskeletal, vision, and vestibular system functions were assessed after pragmatic treatment including early cervical manual therapy and canalith repositioning treatment-when indicated-integrated with advanced vision and vestibular rehabilitation. Patient-reported outcomes included the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) for general symptoms; and for specific symptoms, the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Scale (CISS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC), and the Brain Injury Vision Symptom Survey (BIVSS). Paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction to minimize familywise error (p<0.05) were used to analyze the clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

After 10.4±4.8 sessions over 57.6±34.0 days, general symptoms improved on the PCSS (p=0.001, 95%CI=12.4-30.6); and specific symptoms on the DHI (p<0.001, 95%CI=14.5-33.2), CISS (p<0.002, 95%CI=7.1-18.3), ABC (p<0.024, 95%CI=-.3 - -.1), and BIVSS (p<0.001, 95%CI=13.4-28.0). Clinical measures improved including cervical range-of-motion (55.6% fully restored), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo symptoms (28/28, fully resolved), Brock string visual convergence (p<0.001, 95%CI=3.3-6.3), and score on the Balance Error Scoring System (p<0.001, 95%CI=5.5-11.6).

CONCLUSION

A rehabilitation approach for post-concussion syndrome that sequenced cervical dysfunction and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treatment within the first three weeks of injury followed by integrated vision and vestibular therapy improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Level of Evidence: 2b.

Updated management of occipital nerve stimulator lead migration: case report of a technical challenge

Electrode migration is a challenge, even with adequate anchoring techniques, due to the high mechanical stress on components of occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) for headache disorders. When a lead displacement of an ONS implant is diagnosed, there are currently different approaches described for its management. Nevertheless current neuromodulation devices are designed like a continuum of components without any intermediate connector, and if a lead displacement is diagnosed, the solution is the complete removal of the electrode from its placement, and its repositioning through an ex-novo procedure. The described technique can allow ONS leads to be revised while minimizing the need to reopen incisions over the IPG, thus improving patients' intraoperative and postoperative discomfort, shortening surgical time and medical costs, reasonably reducing the incidence of infective postoperative complications.

Interaction between Pain, Disability, Mechanosensitivity and Cranio-Cervical Angle in Subjects with Cervicogenic Headache: A Cross-Sectional Study

The relationship between the forward head posture and mechanosensitivity in subjects with a cervicogenic headache (CGH) remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to evaluate if there was a relationship between the tissue mechanosensitivity and cranio-cervical angle (CCA) that was moderated by pain intensity and/or disability in subjects with CGH. A convenience sample of 102 subjects was recruited. The CCA was measured with photographs, using a postural assessment software. The pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the disability was measured with the Northwick Park Questionnaire. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured at the spinous process of C2, the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles, and the median nerve. Simple moderation multiple regression analyses were constructed. There was a positive relationship between PPT at C2 and CCA, but a nonsignificant relationship for the PPT measured at the muscles and median nerve. The effect of PPT at C2 over CCA was moderated by pain intensity (R² = 0.17; R² change = 0.06; p < 0.05) but not disability. The Johnson–Neyman analysis revealed a cut-off point for the statistical significance of 4.66 cm in VAS. There seems to be a positive relationship between PPT at C2 and CCA, which is positively moderated by pain intensity in subjects with CGH.

Anterior Cervical Surgery for the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache Caused by Cervical Spondylosis

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objective

To report the efficacy of anterior cervical surgery for the relief of cervicogenic headache (CEH) caused by cervical spondylosis.

Methods

From January 2014 to December 2016, a total of 166 cases of cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy received anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in our institution, among which 50 cases (mean age 44.7 years) were accompanied by CEH and followed up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Neck pain and headache scores according to neck disability index (NDI) were documented for all patients at regular intervals. The results measured at different follow-up time point were compared statistically.

Results

All 50 patients reported neck pain and headache at the same time before surgery. The average NDIs for neck pain before and after surgery were 2.86 (95% CI: 2.7–3.0) preoperatively, 0.98 (95% CI: 0.8–1.1) at 3 months, 0.68 (95% CI: 0.5–0.9) at 6 months, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.5–0.8) at 12 months, and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.4–0.8) at 24 months postoperatively, respectively. The average NDIs for CEH before and after surgery were 2.32 (95% CI: 2.2–2.5) preoperatively, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.5–0.8) at 3 months, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.4–0.8) at 6 months, 0.56 (95% CI: 0.4–0.7) at 12 months, and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.3–0.7) at 24 months postoperatively, respectively. The neck pain and headache improved in all cases and the NDI score of neck pain or headache at each follow-up point after surgery was significantly different from that before surgery (P <0.001). The simple correlation analysis between neck pain and headache was performed, and the Pearson coefficient r was 0.71, indicating a positive correlation between neck pain NDI and headache NDI. No serious surgical complications were found.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that patients with cervical spondylosis complicated with CEH are always accompanied by neck pain. ACDF can not only relieve neck pain but also improve the accompanying CEH.

[Horizontal penetration needling method for headache]

The manipulation and key points of professor FAN Gang-qi 's horizontal penetration needling method for headache were introduced. This acupuncture method selects local acupoints of head, including occipital acupoint group, temporal acupoint group, frontal acupoint group and vertex acupoint group. The needles are shallowly and horizontally inserted at acupoints, with needle end towards the focus or headache site. The needle retaining time is long (6 h). This method is commonly used in the treatment of migraine, cervicogenic headache and tension-type headache. The manipulation is standard with better repeatability.

Dry needling as a novel intervention for cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus: a case study

Tinnitus is defined as conscious perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external stimulus. A condition that affects 10 - 15% of the adult population, tinnitus may be caused by an interaction between the somatosensory and auditory system, more formally known as somatosensory tinnitus. Cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus is a subgroup of somatosensory tinnitus involving anatomical structures and physiological mechanisms associated with the cervical spine. A limited number of studies have reported inconsistent outcomes for treating cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus with conservative treatment strategies such as manual therapy and exercise. However, dry needling is a skilled, manual therapy intervention that has recently gained popularity among the physical therapy profession that may be useful for both evaluating and treating the condition. The following case report describes the use of dry needling to evaluate and treat a patient with cervical somatosensory tinnitus and concurrent cervicogenic headaches. Physical therapy that targeted the muscles of the upper cervical spine with dry needling resulted in a meaningful reduction in cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus, and the improvements persisted at 1-year follow-up. Further research, including randomized control trials, is warranted to fully determine the potential of dry needling to treat cervicogenic somatosensory tinnitus.

Cryoneurolysis for cervicogenic headache - a double blinded randomized controlled study

Background and aims Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a debilitating condition and analgesics have limited effect. Percutaneous cryoneurolysis is thus still in use although the clinical evidence is lacking. We present a randomized, controlled study to assess the clinical efficacy of cryoneurolysis compared with a corticosteroid combined with a local anaesthetic. Methods In a university-based outpatient pain clinic we performed a randomized, double blinded, comparative study with an 18-week follow-up. After positive diagnostic test blocks 52 eligible patients were randomly allocated in a ratio of 3:2, 31 participants to occipital cryoneurolysis and 21 participants to injections of 1 mL methylprednisolone 40 mg/mL (Depo-Medrol®) combined with 1 mL bupivacaine 5 mg/mL. Results We observed a significant pain reduction of more than 50% in both treatment groups, slightly improved neck function and reduced number of opioid consumers. After 6-7-weeks, however, pain intensity increased gradually, but did not reach baseline within 18 weeks. Although cryoneurolysis provided a more prolonged effect, the group differences did not reach statistical significance. Health related quality of life and psychological distress improved minimally. A large number reported minor and transient side effects, but we found no significant group differences. After 18 weeks, 29% rated the headache as much improved, and 12 (24%) somewhat improved, but a large proportion (78%) reported need for further intervention/treatment. Conclusions Cryoneurolysis provided substantial, but temporary pain relief, and the effect was not significantly different from injections of a corticosteroid combined with a local anaesthetic. Participants were selected by a single test block, and the neurolytic procedure was guided by anatomical landmarks and nerve stimulation. A stricter patient selection and an ultrasound-guided technique might have improved the results. Cryoneurolysis provides temporary pain relief not significantly superior to corticosteroid injection, and the results question the value of occipital cryoneurolysis for a chronic pain condition like CEH. Implications Occipital cryoneurolysis may be considered when non-invasive treatments appear insufficient, but only for patients who have responded substantially to test blocks. A risk of local scar and neuroma formation by repeated cryoneurolysis, leading to neuropathic pain has been discussed by other researchers.

Clinical Reasoning Behind Non-Pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Headaches: A Narrative Literature Review

Headache is the clinical syndrome most commonly observed by neurologists in daily practice. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are commonly used for the management of headaches; however, the clinical reasoning behind these interventions is not properly applied. We conducted a narrative literature review using as data sources for academic PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, EBSCO, PEDro, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Collaboration Trials Register, and SCOPUS. This narrative literature review mainly considered systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised clinical trials, and expert opinions published after the year 2000 discussing clinical reasoning for application of non-pharmacological interventions in individuals with tension-type, migraine, and cervicogenic headaches. After the data extraction, we organized the literature thematically as follows: (1) mapping of theoretical aspects of non-pharmacological interventions; (2) summarizing most updated literature about effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions grouped by targeted tissue and headache; (3) identifying research gaps in the existing literature and proposing hypotheses for better understanding of current clinical reasoning. We found that there are many non-pharmacological treatment strategies used for headaches, including beyond the tissue-based impairment treatments (bottom-up) and strategies targeting the central nervous system (top down). Bottom-up strategies include joint-biased, soft-tissue biased, or needling interventions, whereas top-down strategies include exercise and cognitive interventions. Evidence shows that the effectiveness of these interventions depends on the application of proper clinical reasoning, since not all strategies are effective for all headaches. For instance, evidence of non-pharmacological interventions is more controversial for migraines than for tension-type or cervicogenic headaches, since migraine pathogenesis involves activation of sub-cortical structures and the trigemino- vascular system, whereas pathogenesis of tension-type or cervicogenic headaches is most associated to musculoskeletal impairments of the cervical spine. We conclude that current literature suggests that not all non-pharmacological interventions are effective for all headaches, and that multimodal, not isolated, approaches seem to be more effective for patients with headaches. Most published studies have reported small clinical effects in the short term. This narrative literature review provides some hypotheses for discrepancies in the available literature and future research. Clinical reasoning should be applied to better understand the effects of non-pharmacological interventions.

Cerebellar syndrome after occipital nerve block: A case report

BACKGROUND

Occipital nerve blocks are commonly used in the treatment of different types of refractory headaches. The procedure is considered safe, and serious complications have rarely been described.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a serious complication of occipital nerve blockade secondary to the penetration of local anesthetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs into the posterior fossa in a patient affected by type I Arnold Chiari malformation.

CONCLUSIONS

This case reminds that a proper injection technique is mandatory to avoid potentially severe complications when performing occipital nerve blocks.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation of the C2 Dorsal Root Ganglion Using a Posterior Approach for Treating Cervicogenic Headache: A Retrospective Chart Review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and complications of C2 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for cervicogenic headache (CEH) and to identify factors related to the outcome of the procedure in this retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND

Although conventional high-temperature C2 DRG RFA was effective in patients with CEH in previous studies, the effect of pulsed RFA on C2 DRG in cases of CEH has not yet been evaluated.

METHODS

We examined the electronic medical records of consecutive patients who underwent C2 DRG block for CEH from January 2012 to May 2018 at a pain center. Consequent C2 DRG pulsed RFA was performed for patients in whom the headache recurred after an initial period of relief 24 hours after the C2 DRG block. A successful outcome was defined as at least 50% pain relief at 6 months after C2 DRG pulsed RFA. We also examined variables associated with the outcome and prognostic factors of CEH.

RESULTS

Fluoroscopy-guided C2 DRG block was performed in 114 patients with CEH. Forty-five patients received C2 DRG pulsed RFA and 40.0% among them (18/45, success group) had ≥50% pain relief after 6 months. There were no post-procedure complications throughout the study period. Significantly more patients in the success group than in the failure group had a definite positive response (≥50% pain relief) to a previous C2 DRG block (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

C2 DRG pulsed RFA may be an effective treatment for patients with CEH, particularly for patients who have previously experienced definite pain reduction after C2 DRG block. However, the limitations of our study design and small number of patients preclude firm conclusions.

Diagnostic Value of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography Scans with Tc-99m HDP in Cervicogenic Headache

A cervicogenic headache (CEH) is difficult to diagnose due to its varied pathology. We evaluated the usefulness of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in diagnosing CEH and its interventional treatment. Retrospectively, 23 patients diagnosed with CEH between March 2016 to August 2018 were allocated to SPECT/CT (n = 11) and control (n = 12) groups. The SPECT/CT group was further stratified into SPECT/CT(+) and SPECT/CT(-) groups according to the presence of positive findings. Patients in the SPECT/CT group underwent an intra-articular injection at a radiologically verified lesion site, whereas those in the control group underwent third occipital nerve block. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), and global perceived effect (GPE) scale at baseline, and at one, three, and six months postoperatively. The SPECT/CT group showed less VAS, NDI, and GPE scores at six months postoperatively (2.91 ± 2.30 vs. 4.42 ± 1.62, p = 0.08; 38.00 ± 16.54 vs. 48.7 ± 12.40, p = 0.093; 2.00 ± 1.41 vs. 3.17 ± 1.11, p = 0.039). Successful responders at six months postoperatively were higher in the SPECT/CT(+) group than in the control group (75% vs. 0%). SPECT/CT can identify arthritic changes and accurately define therapeutic targets.

[The efficacy of therapeutic nerve blocks in patients with cervicogenic headache]

AIM

To compare the efficacy of 2% articaine solution and 2% lidocaine solution used to perform therapeutic nerve blocks of the large occipital nerve in patients with cervicogenic headache.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized prospective comparative clinical study was conducted in two groups treated with articaine (n=22) or lidocaine (n=21). The therapeutic great occipital nerve blocks were performed on the 1st, 3d and 5th days of treatment. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by the pain intensity measured with the Visual Analogue scale (VAS) and the duration of individual pain paroxysms on the 5th and 10th days.

RESULTS

The baseline VAS pain intensity was 6.3±1.2 and 5.9±2.0 centimeters, whereas the duration of individual pain paroxysms was 7.8±2.3 and 9.1±2.8 hours in the articaine group and the lidocaine group, respectively. By the 5th day, there was a more dramatically decrease in VAS pain intensity and duration in the articaine group (up to 3.0±0.8 and 4.3±1.2 centimeters VAS (p<0.05)) compared to the lidocaine group (up to 1.9±0.6 to 4.8±1.3 hours (p<0.05)). By the 10th day, the pain intensity did not differ between groups (1.2±0.5 and 1.7±0.7 centimeters (p>0.05)). The duration of pain episodes was still lower in the articaine group (0.5±0.08 hours) compared to the lidocaine group (2.4±0.8 hours) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic large occipital nerve blocks with 2% solution of articaine show the significant decrease in pain intensity and duration of pain paroxysms in a short period of time for patients with cervicogenic headache.

Can physical testing be used to distinguish between migraine and cervicogenic headache sufferers? A protocol for a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Differential diagnosis of migraine and cervicogenic headache (CGH) can be challenging given the large overlap of symptoms, commonly leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. In order to strengthen the differential diagnosis of headache, previous studies have evaluated the utility of physical tests to examine for musculoskeletal impairment, mainly in the cervical spine, which could be provoking or triggering headache. However, no systematic review has attempted to evaluate whether physical tests can differentiate CGH from migraine or both conditions from asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS/ANALYSIS

A systematic review protocol has been designed and is reported in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). A sensitive topic-based search strategy is planned which will include databases, hand searching of key journals and consultation of relevant leading authors in this field. Terms and keywords will be selected after discussion and agreement. Two independent reviewers will perform the search and select studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, including any cohort or observational studies evaluating the topic of this review; a third reviewer will confirm accuracy. A narrative synthesis will be developed for all included studies and, if possible, a meta-analysis will be conducted. The overall quality of the evidence will be assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) checklist for diagnostic accuracy studies and the Downs and Black scale for those studies where the QUADAS-2 checklist cannot be applied.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required since no patient information will be collected. The results will provide a deeper understanding about the possibility of using physical tests to differentiate cervicogenic headache from migraine and from asymptomatic subjects, which has direct relevance for clinicians managing people with headache. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019135269.

Headache symptom modification: the relevance of appropriate manual therapy assessment and management of a patient with features of migraine and cervicogenic headache - a case report

OBJECTIVES

People who suffer from headache frequently present with multiple headache forms and the precise diagnosis of the dominant headache form can be challenging. This case report describes a headache symptom modification approach in the diagnosis and management of a patient presenting with combined features of chronic migraine and cervicogenic headache (CGH).

METHODS

A 28-year-old female presented with combined features of chronic migraine and CGH diagnosed according to guidelines published by the International Headache Society. Her main complaints were frequent and severe headache along with frequent neck pain and disability. Symptom modification based on the Mulligan Concept was utilized for assessment of musculoskeletal dysfunction associated with headache which identified upper cervical articular impairment. Impairments were also identified in craniocervical muscle control and endurance. Interventions comprised six sessions of Mulligan manual therapy to address cervical spine impairments, exercise for craniocervical control and endurance, as well as patient education.

RESULTS

Headache frequency at 6 months follow up was reduced from 16 to 3 days per month and intensity from 72 to 23 on Visual Analogue Scale. Clinically relevant improvements were also found in headache duration, pressure pain thresholds, medication intake and Headache Activities of Daily Living Index post-treatment and continued up to 6 months follow-up without adverse events.

DISCUSSION

This case report illustrates the use of a manual therapy symptom modification approach in the management of headache. Improvement in headache symptoms and disability suggests that the musculoskeletal impairments and headache symptoms were more a feature of CGH rather than migraine. The mechanisms underlying these changes in symptoms and impairments are discussed.

Increased mechanosensivity of the greater occipital nerve in subjects with side-dominant head and neck pain - a diagnostic case-control study

Objectives: To investigate differences in pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and longitudinal mechanosensitivity of the greater occipital nerve (GON) between patients with side-dominant head and neck pain (SDHNP) and healthy controls. Evaluation of neural sensitivity is not a standard procedure in the physical examination of headache patients but may influence treatment decisions. Methods: Two blinded investigators evaluated PPTs on two different locations bilaterally over the GON as well as the occipitalis longsitting-slump (OLSS) in subjects with SDHNP (n = 38)) and healthy controls (n = 38). Results: Pressure pain sensitivity of the GON was lower at the occiput in patients compared to controls (p = 0.001). Differences in pressure sensitivity of the GON at the nucheal line, or between the dominant headache side and the non-dominant side were not found (p > 0.05). The OLSS showed significant higher pain intensity in SDHNP (p < 0.001). In comparison to the non-dominant side, the dominant side was significantly more sensitive (p = 0.004). Discussion: Palpation of the GON at the occiput and the OLSS may be potentially relevant tests in SDHNP. One explanation for an increased bilateral sensitivity may be sensitization mechanisms. Future research should investigate the efficacy of neurodynamic techniques directed at the GON. Level of Evidence: 3b.

The Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and Surgical Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache in Patients With Cervical Spine Disorders Requiring Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the clinical features and risk factors of cervicogenic headache (CEH; as diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-Third Edition beta) in patients with cervical spine disorders requiring surgery.

BACKGROUND

CEH is caused by cervical spine disorders. The pathogenic mechanism of CEH is hypothesized to involve a convergence of the upper cervical afferents from the C1, C2, and C3 spinal nerves and the trigeminal afferents in the trigeminocervical nucleus of the upper cervical cord. According to this hypothesis, functional convergence of the upper cervical and trigeminal sensory pathways allows the bidirectional (afferent and efferent) referral of pain to the occipital, frontal, temporal, and/or orbital regions. Previous prospective studies have reported an 86-88% prevalence of headache in patients with cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy requiring anterior cervical surgery; however, these studies did not diagnose headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria. Therefore, a better understanding of the prevalence rate, clinical features, risk factors, and treatment responsiveness of CEH in patients with cervical spine disorders requiring surgery is necessary.

METHODS

We performed a single hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study and enrolled 70 consecutive patients with cervical spine disorders such as cervical spondylotic myelopathy, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, and cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy who had been scheduled to undergo anterior cervical fusion or dorsal cervical laminoplasty between June 2014 and December 2015. Headache was diagnosed preoperatively according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-Third Edition beta. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire, Neck Disability Index, and a 0-100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate clinical features, and scores were compared between baseline (ie, preoperatively) and 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CEH in our population was 15/70 (21.4%, 95%CI: 11.8% to 31.0%). The main clinical features were dull and tightening/pressing headache sensations in the occipital region. Headache severity was mild (VAS, 32 ± 11 mm) and only one patient reported use of an oral analgesic. Compared to patients without CEH, patients with CEH had higher frequencies of neck pain (86.7% vs. 50.9%; P = .017), cervical range of motion limitation (ROM) (66.7% vs. 38.2%; P = .049), and higher Neck Disability Index scores (14 vs. 3; P < .001). Among the different cervical spine disorders, the prevalence of CEH was highest in cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy patients (60%), being ≤ 20% for all other disorders. Surgical treatments including cervical laminoplasty to relieve abnormal pressure on the spinal cord via a posterior approach, were associated with initial improvements in headache VAS that slightly diminished by 12 months post-surgery (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We report a lower prevalence of CEH in patients with cervical spinal disorders requiring surgery than that reported previously. The main clinical features of CEH were mild, dull, and tightening/pressing headache sensations in the occipital region. Potential risk factors for CEH included neck pain, limited cervical ROM, high Neck Disability Index score, and a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy. The further accumulation of patients in a multi-institutional study may be required in order to discuss the diagnostic criteria and pathophysiology of this condition.

Definitions and participant characteristics of frequent recurrent headache types in clinical trials: A systematic review

Background Clear definitions of study populations in clinical trials may facilitate application of evidence to clinical populations. This review aimed to explore definitions of study populations in clinical trials on migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, and cervicogenic headache. Methods We performed a systematic review of clinical trials investigating treatment efficacy for migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, and cervicogenic headache. We extracted data on diagnosis, inclusion criteria and baseline headache characteristics. Results Of the 229 studies reviewed, 205 studies (89.5%) defined their populations in adherence to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria. Some studies ( n = 127, 55.5%) specified diagnosing through interview, clinical examination and diary entry. The most commonly reported inclusion criteria were pain intensity for migraine and tension-type headache studies ( n = 123, 66.1% and n = 21, 67.7%, respectively), episode frequency ( n = 5, 71.4%) for cluster headache studies, and neck-related pain for cervicogenic headache studies ( n = 3, 60%). Few studies reported details on the extent to which diagnostic criteria were present at baseline. Conclusions ICHD is routinely used in defining populations in headache studies. Details of baseline headache characteristics were not as consistently reported.

Relief of Cervicogenic Headaches after Single-Level and Multilevel Anterior Cervical Diskectomy: A 5-Year Post Hoc Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Because single-level disk arthroplasty or arthrodesis in the lower subaxial spine improves headaches after surgery, we studied whether this effect may be better appreciated after two-level arthroplasty.

METHODS

We performed an independent post hoc analysis of two concurrent prospective randomized investigational device exemption trials for cervical spondylosis, one for single-level treatment and the other for two adjacent-level treatments.

RESULTS

For the one-level study, baseline mean headache scores significantly improved at 60 months for both the cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) groups (p < 0.0001). However, mean improvement in headache scores was not statistically different between the investigational and control groups from 6 months through 60 months. For the two-level study, baseline mean headache scores significantly improved at 60 months for both the CDA and ACDF groups (p < 0.0001). The CDA group demonstrated greater improvement from baseline at all points; this difference was statistically significant at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months but not at 18 and 60 months.

CONCLUSION

Both CDA and ACDF at either one or two levels are associated with sustained headache relief from baseline. Patients undergoing two-level arthroplasty had significantly greater improvement in headache at all points except for at 18 and 60 months. This difference in improvement was not observed in patients undergoing single-level arthroplasty. The mechanism of greater headache relief after two-level arthroplasty remains unclear.

Cervicogenic headache alleviation after cervical coblation nucleoplasty: A prospective cohort study

A degenerative cervical disc is a pain generator for headaches, and headaches can benefit from cervical prolapse surgery. However, as an alternative intervention for open cervical surgery, no study has reported whether headaches can benefit from cervical nucleoplasty.The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cervical coblation nucleoplasty in the treatment of cervicogenic headaches.In a prospective cohort study performed between December 2013 and August 2015, 20 patients with cervicogenic headaches undergoing cervical nucleoplasty for shoulder-arm pain were recruited into group C, and 20 patients with cervicogenic headaches undergoing lumbar nucleoplasty for low back pain, matched for age and sex, were recruited into group L. Cervicogenic pain was diagnosed according to the International Headache Society criteria. During the 24-month follow-up, pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected as the primary outcomes, and significant pain relief rate, Neck Disability Index (NDI) headache scores, and Patients Satisfaction Index (PSI) scores were recorded as secondary outcomes to evaluate headache severity and physical function postoperatively.During the 24-month follow-up, a significant decrease in headache VAS scores was observed in group C but not in group L. NDI and PSI scores in group C were better than those in group L. In comparison with the final follow-up, no significant differences in the NDI and PSI scores were found in all observations after surgery. In comparison to group L, ≥50% pain relief was significantly better in group C. No serious complications were observed except for ≤20% of ecchymoma at the needle insertion site.This prospective study indicated that cervicogenic headaches may benefit from nucleoplasty.

Physical therapy for headaches

Background Headache is the medical problem most commonly observed by neurologists. Non-pharmacological treatments are commonly demanded by individuals with headaches, but their evidence of effectiveness is conflicting. Aim The current review provides an updated discussion on what is supported by current scientific evidence about physical therapies for tension-type headache (TTH), migraine, and cervicogenic headache (CeH), and which gaps there still may be in our understanding of the interventions. Methods PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, EBSCO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Collaboration Trials Register, PEDro, and SCOPUS were searched from their inception through March 2015. Results/Discussion Several physical therapies including spinal joint manipulation/mobilization, soft tissue interventions, therapeutic exercises and needling therapies are proposed to be effective for the management of headaches. Current evidence has shown that the effectiveness of these interventions will depend on proper clinical reasoning since not all interventions are equally effective for all headache pain conditions. For instance, evidence of physical therapy in migraine is more controversial than in TTH, since migraine pathogenesis involves activation of sub-cortical structures and the trigemino-vascular system, whereas pathogenesis of TTH is more associated with musculoskeletal disorders, e.g. muscle pain. It seems that multimodal approaches including different interventions are more effective for patients with TTH, migraine and CeH.

Mobilization and Manipulation of the Cervical Spine in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache: Any Scientific Evidence?

Cervical mobilization and manipulation are frequently used to treat patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache (CEH); however, there is conflicting evidence on the efficacy of these manual therapy techniques. The purpose of this review is to investigate the effects of cervical mobilization and manipulation on pain intensity and headache frequency, compared to traditional physical therapy interventions in patients diagnosed with CEH. A total of 66 relevant studies were originally identified through a review of the literature, and the 25 most suitable articles were fully evaluated via a careful review of the text. Ultimately, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria: (1) randomized controlled trial (RCT) or open RCT; the study contained at least two separate groups of subjects that were randomly assigned either to a cervical spine mobilization or manipulation or a group that served as a comparison; (2) subjects must have had a diagnosis of CEH; (3) the treatment group received either spinal mobilization or spinal manipulation, while the control group received another physical therapy intervention or placebo control; and (4) the study included headache pain and frequency as outcome measurements. Seven of the 10 studies had statistically significant findings that subjects who received mobilization or manipulation interventions experienced improved outcomes or reported fewer symptoms than control subjects. These results suggest that mobilization or manipulation of the cervical spine may be beneficial for individuals who suffer from CEH, although heterogeneity of the studies makes it difficult to generalize the findings.